Philadelphia forward Paul George returned to action Monday night against his former club, the Los Angeles Clippers, playing 21 minutes under a strict limit after offseason surgery on his left knee. The 35-year-old starter finished with nine points and seven rebounds in the 76ers’ two-point win and said afterwards that simply being back on the court “felt great” following an eight-month layoff. George last appeared in an NBA game on March 4.
The restriction kept him on the bench for most of the fourth quarter. He noted any increase in his workload will depend on input from the team’s medical staff and how his knee responds over the next few outings.
Embiid Day-to-Day with Knee Soreness
Star center Joel Embiid missed his fourth straight game Monday because of soreness in his right knee. Head coach Nick Nurse told reporters the reigning MVP is making progress but still feels pain and remains “day to day.” Nurse added he does not expect Embiid to be out much longer.
Maxey, Edgecombe Carrying the Load
With George easing back in and Embiid unavailable, the Sixers have leaned heavily on guards Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe to generate offense. Maxey is averaging a league-high 40.4 minutes per contest, while Edgecombe is logging 37.3 minutes. Nurse said he has spoken with both guards about their workload, and each indicated he is comfortable continuing at that pace until the roster is back to full strength.
Drummond Thrives in Extended Role
Center Andre Drummond has started the last four games in Embiid’s absence and topped 33 minutes in each. On Monday, the two-time All-Star recorded 14 points and a season-best 18 rebounds while matching up with Clippers center Ivica Zubac. Drummond is also attempting to expand his range, shooting 7-for-17 from three-point distance this season after never making more than five triples in any previous campaign.
Trade Value Uncertain for Injured Stars
A mailbag column in The Philadelphia Inquirer examined whether Embiid or George could draw significant interest on the trade market. At present, neither player is considered a prime target because of recent health concerns, though the piece suggested George could rebuild value if he stays on the floor for an extended stretch, as his injuries are viewed as acute rather than chronic.
Source: Hoops Rumors
